The vulnerary potential of botanical medicines in the treatment of bacterial pathologies in fish

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The use of plant-based medicine in treating and preventing fish disease has become increasingly popular due to the resistance of bacterial pathogens to chemicals widely used in aquaculture. This study explored the vulnerary effect of botanical medicines made from local raw materials (greater celandine [Chelidonium majus L.], St. John’s wort [Hypericum perforatum L.], and bur beggar-ticks [Bidens tripartita L.]) in the treatment of sturgeon bacterial pathologies in a controlled environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vulnerary activity of herbal infusions was studied on spontaneously infected fish by assessing the degree of wound healing at regular intervals: The state of the wound, reduction of the wound surface area, the formation of granulation tissue, epithelization, and wound contraction. RESULTS: A positive vulnerary effect of C. majus, H. perforatum, and B. tripartita was observed, consistent with the use of these plants in folk and traditional medicine. The plant materials eliminated infection, had anti-inflammatory and vulnerary effects, stimulated granulation tissue development, and enhanced regeneration. Compared with widely accepted methods (antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents), botanical medicine facilitated more effective treatment over the same period without side effects. CONCLUSION: Practical use and the results of this study show the potential of using herbal infusions for therapeutic purposes in aquaculture.